THE Co-operative Group's Travelcare business ? the UK's largest independent travel agency ? has bought the teletext and internet-based flights specialist, Just Flights, for an undisclosed sum.
The purchase comes less than three months after Travelcare's acquisition of independent flights company, Cheapestflights.co.uk, and is part of the organisation's strategic plan to grow direct travel sales.
Just Flights employs around 40 people at its call centre in Bolton and the staff will be unaffected by the sale. The company will operate as a separate business from Travelcare.
Just Flights has annual sales of over £ 13 million and sells flights, package holidays and travel ancillaries via teletext and its website www.Justflights.com.
Amanda Williams (pictured), Travelcare's general manager, said that Just Flights was "a sound business with solid growth potential".
"Coming hard on the heels of the acquisition of Cheapestflights.co.uk, this purchase should leave no-one in any doubt of our intention to make our mark in direct travel sales," she added.
"We intend to involve the company's staff closely in the development of the business and they can now look forward to the benefits of being part of a much larger organisation."
Paul Lever, owner of Just Flights, commented: "This deal is good news for Just Flights, which will now have the backing of a leading force in independent travel retailing, one which is already well experienced in direct travel sales."
Travelcare's ownership of Just Flights comes into effect immediately.
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